The average U.S. farm occupies 435 acres. How many square miles is this? (1 acre = 43,560 ft², 1 mile = 5280 ft)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Start by converting acres to square feet using the conversion factor: 1 acre = 43,560 ft^2. Multiply 435 acres by 43,560 ft^2/acre to find the total area in square feet.
2. Next, convert square feet to square miles. First, find the conversion factor for square feet to square miles. Since 1 mile = 5280 ft, 1 square mile = (5280 ft)^2.
3. Calculate the total number of square feet in one square mile by squaring 5280 ft.
4. Divide the total area in square feet (from step 1) by the number of square feet in one square mile (from step 3) to convert the area from square feet to square miles.
5. The result from step 4 will give you the area of the farm in square miles.

Key Concepts

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one set of units to another set of units. In this question, we need to convert acres to square miles, which involves understanding the relationships between different units of area and distance. This requires knowing how many square feet are in an acre and how many square feet are in a square mile.

Area Measurement

Area measurement refers to the quantification of a two-dimensional space. In this context, we are dealing with acres and square miles, both of which are units of area. Understanding how to calculate area and the significance of these units is essential for solving the problem accurately.

Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique used to convert one set of units to another by using conversion factors. It involves multiplying the quantity by appropriate conversion factors to cancel out the original units and arrive at the desired units. This method is crucial for ensuring that calculations are accurate and that the final answer is expressed in the correct units.